Apparatus for automatically firing percussion-ignitable flashlamps

ABSTRACT

A camera is provided with a socket for receiving a flash unit containing percussion-ignitable flash lamps and spring loaded strikers retained in cocked positions. A sensing system includes a shift member which moves to a first position in the absence of a flash unit, a second position in the presence of a cocked striker and a third position when the cocker is in its uncocked position. A transmission lever is located in the path of the spring loaded shutter opening member when the shift member is in its second position so that upon release of the shutter opening member it drives the shift member to release the striker and ignite a flashlamp. A light detecting member shifts the transmission lever out of the path of the opening member when the ambient light is sufficient for photography. A system provides a warning signal in the absence of a flashlamp or when a cocked striker is not in position.

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O 1 United States Patent 1191 1111 3,736,853 Suzuki 1 June 5, 1973 1 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY T887,02l 6/1971 Pickering et a1. ....9s/11 L FIRING PERCUSSION-IGNITABLE 3,589,849 6 1971 Sturm et al ..431/93 FLASHLAMPS 3,630,129 12/1971 Gow etal .9s 11.s R a 3,374,718 3 1968 Hochreiter ...95 10 0 Inventor: $11939 Suzuki, Atsuml, Japan 3,602,120 8/1971 Galbraith, Jr /ll.5-R [73] Ass1gnee. lgslzriilozlitaJizrzera Kabushlkl Kalsha, Primary Examiner Robert P. Greiner AttorneyStanley Wolder [22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 218,897 [57] ABSTRACT A camera is provided with a socket for receiving a [30] Foreign Application Priority Data flash unit containing percussion-ignitable flash lamps and spring loaded strikers retained in cocked posi- Jan. 21, 1971 Japan ..46/l848 tions A Sensing System includes a Shift member which Nov. 25, 1971 Japan ..46/94726 moves to a first position in the absence f a flash unit Nov. 25, 1971 Japan ..46/94727 a second position in the presence f a cocked striker 1 and a third position when the cooker is in its uncooked Cl J 95/10 C, 95/1 1 L, position. A transmission lever is located in the path of 95/11 the spring loaded shutter opening member when the [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 15/04, G03b 17/20 shift member is in its second position so that upon [58] Field of Search ..95/ll.5 R, 11 L, release of the shutter opening member it drives the 95/10 C, 11 V; 240/13; 431/92, 93 shift member to release the striker and ignite a flashlamp. A light detecting member shifts the trans- [56] References Cited mission lever out of the path of the opening member when the ambient light is sufficient for photography. UNITED STATES PATENTS A system provides a warning signal in the absence of a 3,616,735 11/1971 Bresson ..9s/11.5 R flashlamp when a strike is positim- 3,624,726 ll/l97l Horton ..95/ll.5 R

15 Claims, 28 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJUH Sum 3.736.853

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saw 130F13 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY FIRING PERCUSSION-IGNITABLE FLASHLAMPS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically firing a percussion-ignitable flashlamp to be incorporated in a camera which is equipped with a socket for receiving a flash unit including at least one set of such flashlamp and a releasably retained striker for igniting the flashlamp.

In recent years various cameras have been known for use with a detachably mountable flash unit including flashlamps which can be ignited by being subjected to a mechanical impact at a specific portion without employing a power source. Many of such cameras are so constructed that the flashlamp in the flash unit mounted on the camera can be ignited by a shutter releasing operation irrespectively of the brightness of the subject. Accordingly, such cameras are inconvenient in that when an automatic exposure making operation can be effected with natural light without resorting to the ignition of a flashlamp, the flash unit has to be removed from the camera every time such photographing operation is to be performed. Since the flash unit has to be removed for usual photographing operation, it is frequently experienced that the user forgets to mount the flash unit when a flashlamp has to be used, or he fails to take a picture with good timing because of the troublesome flash unit mounting procedure, hence a failure of taking a photograph. Such incident is more frequently experienced towards evening or when taking indoor pictures.

n the other hand, various devices have heretofore been proposed for warning that the brightness of the subject is not high enough for photographing with natural light. Furthermore, cameras are known which incorporate such exposure warning device for flash photographing operation employing a flash unit of the type described. However, many of the cameras of this type is equipped with the exposure warning device and an additional device for indicating whether or not the flashlamp has already been fired or not. Accordingly, with cameras including such double warning means, there is a need to ascertain the capability of a photographing operation with two alarm means,-hence confusing and troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically firing a flashlamp to be incorporated in a camera for use with a flash unit which includes at least one set of percussion-ignitable flashlamp to be fired by being struck on a specific portion thereof and a releasably retained striker for exerting an impact on the flashlamp, the apparatus comprising a member for detecting the brightness of the subject which is first operated in the course of depression of a shutter release member so that a photograph can be taken with natural light without causing ignition of the flash lamp with the flash unit mounted on the camera all the time, the flashlamp further automatically ignitable in synchronism with the opening and closing of the shutter only when there is a need to use the flashlight.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus to be incorporated in a camera having a socket for receiving a flash unit including at least plurality of sets of flashlamps and strikers therefor wherein the socket is swivelled a definite angle in operative relation to a shutter cocking operation after a flashlamp has been fired and a fresh flashlamp is directed to the front of the camera in preparation for the subsequent flash photographing operation, the socket being prevented from swivelling despite a shutter cocking operation while a fresh flashlamp is directed to the front of the camera.

Another object of this invention is to provide an alarm device for indicating whether a photographing operation can be performed or not by ascertaining whether a flashlamp is an already fired one or a. fresh one, only when a member for detecting the brightness of the subject has detected that a photographing operation with natural light is impossible.

In accordance with this invention, a camera having a socket for receiving a flash unit includes a shift member shiftable from a first position wherein the flash unit is not mounted to a second position wherein the shift member is stopped upon detecting that the striker is located in the releasable position after being initiated by mounting of the flash unit and then to a third position wherein the shift member has detected that the striker is not located in the releasable position, flashlamp control means under the control of a member for detecting the brightness of the subject, and an actuating member to be operated through the flashlamp control means to cause a shift member to release the striker in synchronism with the opening of a sector only when the sift member is located in the second position, the flashlamp control means being adapted to associate the actuating member with the shift member in the second position to release the striker only when the brightness detecting member detects the need for a flash photographing operation.

Thus it is possible to automatically effect a photographing operation with natural light or with flashlight selectively, with the flash unit mounted on the camera all the time, to assure the camera of remarkably improved operativeness and rapid photographing operation.

In order to rotate the socket including sets of flashlamp and strikers a given angle after making a flash photographing operation, there are provided a slidable member adapted for reciprocal sliding movement in operative relation to the actuating member as it is returned to the cocked position during a shutter cocking operation and a swivelling member provided on the slidable member and engageable with a socket swivelling cam by virtue of the reciprocating movement of the slidable member to move the socket a definite angle in one direction, the arrangement further being such that when the brightness detecting member has detected that a photograph can be taken with natural light, the flashlight control means prevents the slidable member from moving to the position of initiating the swivelling of the socket.

Thus, the socket will not be swivelled after photographing with natural light but is swivelled only after flash photographing for improved automatic flash system.

To indicate whether a flash photograph can be taken, a signal operating member is provided which detects the position of shift member when the need for flashlight isdetected. The signal operating member is associated with an alarm member to enable the alarm member to indicate incapability of flash photographing when the shift member in the first or third position is detected.

Thus, the alarm member gives an exposure alarm with respect to the brightness of the subject and an alarm as to the possibility of flash photographing, eliminating the need for providing two indications separately.

Other objects and features of this invention will become more apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of principal parts of an embodiment of this invention, the view showing the parts after completion of a shutter cocking operation;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation along the line II-II in FIG. 1;

'FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing part of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 to 7 are front views showing the operation of flashlamp control means in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view showing socket swiveling means in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing principal parts of another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale showing part of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation showing the operation of a detecting member as a flash unit is mounted on a socket in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the parts in FIG. 9 upon completion of an automatic exposure making operation with natural light;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the parts in FIG. 9 upon completion of a flash photographing operation;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing part of means for operatively relating a shift member to the swivelling of the socket;

FIGS. 15 to are front views and side elevations showing the respective states of operation of the flashlamp control member in FIG. 9;

FIG. 21 is a side elevation showing means for indicating an alarm in the camera finder;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the alarm indicating means;

FIGS. 23 to 26 are front views illustrating the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 22;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing principal parts of another embodiment of alarm means; and

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of means for interrupting a shutter releasing operation when the need for a flash photographing operation is detected but the camera is incapable of taking a flash photograph.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a release member 1 receiving in its vertical slot la a pin 2 is urged upward by a spring 3 and adapted to be pushed down by depression of an unillustrated shutter button.

A latch member 4 pivoted at 5 is urged in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 6 and engages at its hooked end 4a an end 7a of a sector opening member 7 to latch the member 7 at its tensioned position. A pin lb on the release member 1 is positioned above the upper edge 4b of the latch member and brought into contact with the upper edge 4b by an amount of downward movement of the release member 1, so that further downward movement of the release member 1 causes the pin lb to pivotally move the latch member 4 in a clockwise direction to unlatch the sector opening member 7 from the hooked end 4a and free the member 7 from its tensioned position.

The sector opening member 7 is supported at its base portion on a pivot 8 and has its upstanding lug 7b engaged in a bifurcated end 10a of an actuating member 10 which is supported on the pivot 8 an urged by a spring 9 in a counterclockwise direction, the sector opening member 7 being movable integrally with the member 10. The sector opening member 7, movable upward and downward on the pivot 8, is pushed down to the illustrated position by the resilient force of the winding portion 9a of the spring 9 acting axially of the pivot 8.

A sector 11 pivoted at 12 is urged by a spring 13 in a counterclockwise direction into contact with a stopper pin 14 which limits its movement. The sector blocks the incident light from the take lens (not shown) of the camera. A lug 11a at the upper end of the sector 1 1 faces the distal end 7a of the sector opening member 7. When the sector opening member 7 is freed from its cocked position and urged counterclockwise along with the actuating member 10 biased by the spring 9, the distal end 7a pushes the lug 11a to move the sector in a clockwise direction and thereby open the light path of the lens for exposure. Further counterclockwise movement of the sector opening member 7 causes its distal end 7a to pass beyond the lug 11a, whereupon the sector 11 is returned under the action of the spring 13 to block the light path. The stopper pin 14 may serve also as a pin 13a which retains the fixed end of the spring 13.

After passing over the sector 11 and making a counterclockwise rotation through a predetermined angle, the sector opening member 7 and actuating member 10 come to a halt and are turned in a clockwise direction by a shutter cocking operation and then retained by the latch member 4 at the cocked position shown in FIG. 1.

At this time, the sector 11 is retained in position by the stopper pin 14. Accordingly, the distal end 7a of the sector opening member 7 will hit the upper edge 11b of the sector 11. However, since the upper edge 11b is curved as illustrated, the sector opening member 7 moves upward along the curved edge while compressing the winding portion 9a of the spring 9 upward and, upon passing over the sector 11, the sector opening member is depressed by the spring 9 and latched by the latch member 4 at its cocked position as shown in FIG. 1.

A link lever 15 pivoted at 16 has its one end in engagement with a pin 10 on the release member, with the other end thereof in engagement with a lug 17a at the lower end of a brightness detecting member 17.

The brightness detecting member 17 receiving a guide pin 18 in its vertical slot 17b is movable upward and downward and is urged upward by a spring 19 to follow the movement of the release member 1 for vertical movement. The brightness detecting member 17 further has an arm 17c extending sidewise and having a distal end whose upper edge is positioned for the entire region wherein a pointer 20 of an exposure meter is positionedwhen flash photographing is not required. When flash photographing operation is not needed, the

pointer limits the upward movement of the brightness detecting member 17 as shown in FIG. 7, while only when flash photographing is required, the pointer 20 is positioned further sidewise of the arm 17c as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 so as not to prevent the detecting member 17 from upward movement.

The brightness detecting member 17 is further provided at its upper end with a pin 17d, which is positioned below a driven portion 23a and which moves a flashlamp operating member 23 in a clockwise direction upon the detecting member 17 detecting the need for a flash photographing operation.

The flashlamp operating member 23 is approximately L-shaped and has at its upper end a drive portion 23b in engagement with a driven portion 26a of actuation control member 26 pivoted at 24 and urged by a spring 25 in a counterclockwise direction. Thus clockwise movement of the flash unit operating member 23 permits the actuation control member 26 to move in a counterclockwise direction under the action of spring 25, while counterclockwise movement of the operating member 23 causes the actuation control member 26 to return in a clockwise direction against the spring 25.

The actuation control member 26 has its tail end 26b positioned below a pin 27a of a shift member 27.

The shift member 27 is movable upward and downward, with its vertical slot 27b receiving a guide pin 28. While a flash unit 29 is not mounted on the camera, the shift member 27 is retained in a first position as shown in FIG. 6 by means to be described later or by some other suitable means, whereas when the flash unit 29 is mounted, the shift member 27 is moved up to cause its release arm 270 to project into a window 29a of the unit 29 so that when it is detected that a striker 31 for firing a flash-lamp 30 is retained in a predetermined tensioned position and is therefore releasable, the pin 31 comes into contact with the release arm 270 to prevent further upward movement of the shift member 27. As a result, the shift member 27 is held at a second position illustrated in FIG. 4. Further if the flashlamp 30 has already been fired, the striker 31 is not located at the releasable position but is in the state brought about after it has struck the leg 30a of the flashlamp 30 as seen in FIG. 5, permitting further upward movement of the release arm 27c. Consequently, the shift member is brought to a third position as illustrated in FIG. 5, where it is brought to a halt.

Accordingly, actuation control member 26 is moved in a counterclockwise by a spring 25 when the detecting member 17 detects the need for a flash photographing operation, with its tail end 26b following the upward movement of the pin 27a on the shift member 27. Thus the control member follows the movement of the shift member 27 from the first position to the third position.

After shifting to the second and then third positions, the shift member 27 is brought back to the first position by means to be described later or by some other means in operative relation to a subsequent shutter cocking operation or to a preparatory operation for flash photographing.

The aforementioned upward movement of the shift member 27 is effected by a spring force or the like of means to be described later, the force being such that when the striker 31 is releasably retained at its cocked position, the contact of the release arm 27c of the shift member 27 with the striker 31 will not trigger the striker 31. In other words, the force is such that the movement of the shift member 27 to the second position will not immediately fire the flashlamp 30.

The actuation control member 26 is further formed at its front end with a slanting lug 260 which is positioned, when the shift member 27 is the second position, in the path of advance of a pin 10b extending from the end of the actuating member 10 as seen in FIG. 4. Thus, counterclockwise movement of the actuating member 10, upon shutter release, causes the pin 10b to push the slanting lug 26c, turning the actuation control member 26 counterclockwise about the pivot 24 and thereby causing the tail end 26b to push up the shift member 27 in engagement with the pin 27a thereon. The shift member 27 therefore frees the striker from the releasable cocked position and permits the same to strike the leg 30a of the flashlamp 30, whereby the flashlamp 30 is fired in synchronism with the sector opening movement.

On the other hand, while the shift member 27 is in positions other than the second position, the slanting lug 260 is retracted from the path of movement of the pin 10b of the actuating member 10.

The means for urging the shift member 27 upward comprises, for instance, a vertically movable pin 33 disposed within a socket 32 which is supported on the camera for mounting the flash unit 29, the arrangement being such that when the flash unit 29 is removed, the pin 33 is moved upward and that when the flash unit 29 is mounted, the pin 33 is moved downward. Further there is provided a flash unit detecting member 36 sup ported on a transverse pivot 34 and urged by a spring 35 in a counterclockwise direction. A driven portion 360 of the detecting member 36 is in engagement with the lower end of the pin 33 so that the detecting member 36 can be moved pivotally through the pin 33 when the flash unit is mounted or demounted. The distal end of its drive arm 36b is in contact with the tail end 38a of a link lever 38, with a spring 39 connecting the end of the arm 36b to the tail end 38a. A pin 38b extending from the front end of the link lever 38 is engaged in a bifurcated lug 27d in the side portion of the shift member 27 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

When the flash unit 29 is not mounted, the pin 33 is pushed up by the spring 35 acting on the flash unit detecting member 36, while the drive arm 36b pushes up the link lever 38, permitting the pin 38b to move the shift member 27 downward to the first position illustrated in FIG. 6.

When the flash unit 29 is mounted in the socket 32, the pin 33 is pushed down to move the driven portion 360 of the detecting member 36 downward, rotating the member 36 in a clockwise direction. The drive arm 36b therefore pulls the tail end 38a of the link lever 38 through the spring 39 to urge the lever 38 toward a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGS. land 3.

As a result, the shift member 27 thus urged is moved upward, with its release arm 27c projecting into the window 29a of the flash unit 29. When the striker 31 is in the releasable position, the shift member 27 is brought to a halt by the striker 31 at the second position shown in FIG. 4, whereas if the striker is not located at the specified releasable position, the shift member 27 moves further upward to the third position as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In order to rotate the socket 32 for the flash unit 29 a given angle after the ignition of the flashlamp 30 in preparation for the subsequent flash photographing operation, there is provided a socket swivelling control member 40 in operative relation to the actuating member 10.'The control member 40 is supported on the pivot 8 (or on another pivot) supporting the actuating member and has a lug 40a in contact with the actuating member 10 so as to be pivotally movable in operative relation to the actuating member 10 when it is moved clockwise in FIG. 1 during a shutter cocking operation and to follow the counterclockwise rotation of the actuating member 10 during a sector opening operation. The control member 40 has a bifurcated tail end 40b receiving a pin 41a on aslidablemember 41.

The slidable member 41 receives in its longitudinal slot 41b a guide pin 42 for sliding movement and is urged leftward by a spring 43 as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the socket swivelling control member 40 has its lug 40a engaged with the actuating member 10 under the action of the spring 43 so as to follow the actuating member.

The slidable member 41 is further provided with a pin 41c supporting a socket swivelling member 44, which is urged by a spring 45 in a clockwise direction and has a tail end 44a in contact with a lug 41d of the slidable member 41 and a front end 44b positioned close to a cam portion 32a of the socket 32.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cam portion 32a of the socket 32 has along its periphery projections 32b identical in number to the flashlamps 30 included in the flash unit 29. The movement of the socket swivelling member 44 in the direction of the arrow moves the projection 32b and rotates the socket 32 a given angle, whereas when the swivelling member 44 is moved in the opposite direction, the front end 44b of the swivelling member 44 moves in sliding contact with the cam face to pass beyond the projection 32b without permitting the socket to rotate in the opposite direction. Thus, one-way rotating means is provided.

The actuation control means 26 is formed with an arresting portion 26d which is positioned in the path of movement of the front end 40c of the socket swivelling control member 40 when the flash unit 29 is not mounted on the socket 32 and when it is detected that photographs can be taken with natural light (FIGS. 6 and 7), so as to arrest the member 40 as it is following the movement of the actuating member 10 and thereby prevent the front end 44b of the socket swivelling member 44 from being brought to the position to initiate the rotation of the socket 32. While the shift member 27 is located in the second and third positions, the arresting portion 26d is retracted from the path of advance of the front end 40c by virtue of the movement of the actuation control member 26 following the member 27.

When the shutter is cocked, the actuating member 10 rotates clockwise along with the sector opening member 7 and the socket swivelling. control member, while tensioning the spring 9, and the opening member 7 is engaged by the latch member 4. As a result, the respective parts are held in the cocked position. At the same time, the socket swivelling control member 40 tensions the spring 43 by way of the slidable member 41, and the front end 44b of the socket swivelling member 44 is brought to the position of completion of a given angle of rotation.

While the flashlamp 29 is not mounted on the socket 32, the shift member 27 is located in the first position as already described.

When the flashlamp 29 is loaded on the socket 32, the pin 33 moves down, urging the shift member 27 upward through the flash unit detecting member 36 and link lever 38. If the flashlight 30 is a fresh one, the shift member 27 will be retained in the second position, while if it has already been fired, the shift member 27 will be raised to the third position.

When the shutter is released with a fresh flashlight 30 in position, the downward movement of the release member 1 raises the brightness detecting member 17 to detect whether a flash photographing operation is required or not. If the flashlight is needed, the pointer 20 is located at a deviated position sidewise of the arm 17c, with the result that the detecting member 17 is free to move upward and pushes the flashlamp operating member 23 into a clockwise movement as seen in FIG. 4, which causes the actuation control member 26 to follow the movement of the shift member 27 in the second position, with its slanting lug 26c brought to the path of advance of the pin 10b of the sector actuating member. Further depression of the release member 1 pushes the latch member 4 downward to free the sector opening member 7 from its cocked position, whereupon the sector opening member 7 rotates in a counterclockwise direction along with the actuating member 10 to rotate the sector 11 in the opening direction and opens the shutter. In synchronism with this, the actuating member drives the actuation control member 26 in a counterclockwise direction, which in turn pushes up the shift member 27 to release the striker 31 and fire the flashlamp 30. At the time when the firing terminates, the front end 7a of the sector opening member 7 passes over the lug 11a of the sector. The sector 11 is returned to the original position under the action of the spring 13 to close the shutter.

Following the foregoing operation of the actuating member 10, the socket swivelling control member 40 turns counterclockwise to urge the slidable member 41 leftward, shifting the front end 44b of the socket swivelling member 44 to the swivelling initiating position as shown in a solid line in FIG. 8. A shutter cocking operation effected in this position causes the front end 44b to push the projection 32b to swivel the socket 32 a definite angle and thereby direct a fresh flashlamp 30 to the front of the camera. At this time, the release arm 270 of the shift member 27 projecting into the window 29a of the flash unit 29 has to be retracted from the window 29a through a downward movement, which will be effected by means to be described later.

When the shutter is released as above with an already fired flashlamp 30' in position, the shift member 27 is in the elevated third position as illustrated 'in FIG. 5. Accordingly, even if the detecting member 17 detects the need for a flashlight, the slanting lug 26c of the control member 26 has been retracted from the path of advance of the pin 10b of the actuating member 10 by virtue of the aforementioned following movement of its tail end 26b. Thus, even if the actuating member 10 moves as indicated by the arrow, the actuating member 10 does not operate the slanting lug 260 but simply makes an idle movement without effecting the intended action, hence there is a need to mount a fresh flash unit.

If the flash unit 29 is not mounted on the socket 32, the shift member 27 is held in the first position as shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, even if the detecting member 17 detects the need for a flashlight, the actuation control member 26 is blocked by the pin 27a on the shift member 27 against pivotal movement, with its slanting lug 26c positioned above and away from the path of movement of the pin b of the actuating member 10. As a result, the actuating member makes an idle movement as indicated by the arrows. Furthermore, the front end 40c of the swivelling control member 40 is brought to a halt upon contact with the arresting portion of the actuation control member 26 in the course of its pivotal movement. Consequently, the socket wivelling member 44, during its leftward movement, is stopped at the position as indicated in a phantom line 44' in FIG. 8 where the front end thereof can not engage the can projection 32b of the socket 32. Thus, a shutter cocking operation, even if performed in this state, will not cause the socket 32 to rotate.

When the brightness detecting member 17 detects that a photograph can be taken with natural light after effecting shutter release, a photographing operation can be performed with natural light irrespective of where the shift member 27 is positioned, namely regardless of whether or not the flash unit 29 is mounted on the socket 32.

When a shutter releasing operation is initiated, the brightness detecting member 17 is interrupted from its upward movement by a pointer 20, permitting the flashlamp operating member 23 to prevent the actuation control member 26 from following the movement of the shift member 27, with the slanting lug 26c retracted from the path of advance of the pin 10b of the actuating member 10. The arresting portion 26d is positioned in the path of advance of the front end 40c of the socket swivelling control member 40. Thus, the sector opening member 7, freed from the cocked position, causes the shutter to perform a shutter opening and closing operation, while the pin 10b on the actuating member 10 passes below the slanting lug 26c, leaving the shift member 27 out of operation. Accordingly, even if the flash unit 29 is mounted on the socket 32, the flashlamp 30 will not be ignited.

Since the socket swivelling control member 40 is stopped by the arresting portion 26d in the course of its movement, the shocket swivelling member 44 is interrupted from its leftward travel at the position indicated in the phantom line 44 in FIG. 8. A shutter cocking operation, if conducted in this state, does not cause the socket 32 to swivel.

In this way an automatic flashlamp firing system is provided with which waste of the flashlamp can be completely eliminated. The fact that the socket is swivelled only after making a flash photographing operation assures a smooth and easy film winding (i.e. shutter cocking) operation after taking a photograph with natural light. This serves to render the cocking mechanism more durable since natural light photographing operation is usually more frequently performed.

FIG. 9 shows principal parts of another embodiment of this invention. Referring to this drawing, a release member 50 is vertically movably supported on a guide pin 51 and urged upward by a spring 52. The release member 50 is depressed by a shutter release operation.

A latch member 54 urged in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 53 has a hooked end 54a which retains the front end 55a of a sector opening member 55 at its cocked position. The latch member 54 is further formed with a window 54b, in which is engaged a pin 50a on the release member 50. A certain amount of depression of the release member 50 causes the pin 50a to contact the lower edge of the window 54b, and further downward movement of the release member 50 pivotally moves the latch member 54 in a clockwise direction to free the sector opening member 55 from its latched position.

The sector opening member 55 is pivotably mounted as at 56 in vertically movable manner and has a pin 55b thereon engaged in a bifurcated end 57a of an actuating member 57 for opening a sector so that both members 55 and 57 are movable integrally. The members 55 and 57 are further urged counterclockwise by a spring 58, whose winding portion 58a urges the sector opening member 55.

The sector 59 pivoted at 60 is urged in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 61 and blocks the incident light from the take lens (not shown). The sector has an upper end 59a in engageable relation to the front end 55a of the sector opening member 55 retained in the cocked position. The opening member 55, when released from this position, causes the shutter to open and close as in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

A brightness detecting member 62, supported by a guide pin 63 in vertically movable manner, has a pin 62a in engagement with the upper edge of distal end of arm 50b of the release member 50. The pin 62a is connected to the distal end of the arm 50b by a spring 64, which therefore permits the detecting member 62 to follow the downward movement of the release member 50. Along the lower end of the detecting member 62, there is formed a projecting edge 62b provided for the entire region wherein a pointer 65 of exposure meter is operable. The detecting member is further formed with a stepped portion 62c for the pointer 65 as it is positioned when a flashlight photographing is required.

Thus the amount of downward movement of the detecting member 62 which follows the release member 50 is limited depending upon the position of the pointer 65, whereby the need for flashlight is detected. Indicated at 66 is a pointer receiver.

The brightness detecting member 62 is further provided at its upper end a lug 62d for operating a flashlamp operating member 67 when detecting the need for a flashlight photographing operation.

The flashlamp operating member 67 pivoted at 68 is urged by a spring 69 in a counterclockwise direction and has a driven slanting portion 67a positioned below the lug 62d. The flashlamp operating member 67 has at its end a lug 67b which retains the flashlamp actuating member 70 in its cocked position and which, when the slanting portion 67a is moved by the lug 62d, is driven in a clockwise direction to unlatch the actuating member 70 into operation.

The flashlamp actuating member 70 is pivoted at 71 and urged in a clockwise direction by a spring 72. The actuating member 70 receives in a slot 70a at its tail end a pin 73a on a slidable member 73, which is slidable leftward and rightward through a guide pin 73b. Being urged leftward by the spring 72, the slidable member 73 has a pin 73c thereon engaged with the tail end 57b of the actuating member 57. Thus, the slidable member 73 permits the actuating member 70 to follow the movement of the actuating member 57 when it is detected that a flashlight photographing operation is necessary.

The sector actuating member 57 is brought to its cocked position in operative relation to a film winding operation (i.e. shutter cocking operation) as in the case of FIG. 1. After taking a flashlight photograph, the flashlamp actuating member 70 is also brought to its cocked position through the slidable member .73 in operative relation to the cocking of the sector actuating member 57.

The flashlamp actuating member 70 is further provided at its front end a pin 70b for operating an actuation control member 74.

The actuation control member 74 pivoted at 68 has at its one end a slanting lug 74a retractably positioned in the path of advance of the pin 70b on the actuating member 70. The member 74 also has at the other end a pin 74b engaged in a lateral slot 75a of the shift member 75.

As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the shift member 75 is supported on a guide pin 63 in vertically movable manner. The shift member 75 is shiftable from a first position wherein a flash unit 77 is not mounted on a socket 76 to a second position wherein the flash unit is mounted with an unfired flashlamp 78. In this state the release arm 75b detects that the striker 79 is located at the specified releasable position and the striker 79 keeps the shift member 75 from its upward movement. From this second position the shift member 75 is shiftable to a third position wherein the flashlamp 78 has already been fired with the projecting arm 75b detecting that the striker 79 is not releasably positioned as specified.

The socket 76 includes therein a vertically movable pin 80 whose lower end is in contact with a driven portion 81a of a flash unit detecting member 81 whose base portion is pivoted to a lateral pin 82, the flash unit detecting member 81 being urged by a spring 83 in such direction as to push up the pin 80 as shown in FIGS. and 11. The end 81b of the detecting member 81 is connected to the end of the end of the actuation control member 74 by a spring 84.

When the flash unit 77 is mounted on the socket 76, the flash unit detecting member 81 pushes up the pin 80 under the action of the spring 83, the end of the actuation control member 74 also being pushed up to permit its slanting lug 74a to be retracted upward from the path of advance of pin 70b of the actuating member 70. Furthermore, the shift member 75 is moved down by the actuation control member 74 to the first position, with the result that the release arm 75b is moved into a camera body 85 as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.

When the flash unit 77 is mounted on the socket 76, the pin 80 moves down to lower the detecting member 81 as indicated in the phantom line in FIG. 11, causing the spring 84 to pull the end of the actuation control member 74, which in turn urges the shift member 75 upward, permitting its release arm 75b to enter the window 77a of the flash unit 77 and detect the striker 79 which is releasably retained in the specified position if the flashlamp 78 is a fresh one. The pin 79 therefore prevents the upward movement of the shift member 75 (see FIGS. 15 and 16). Thus the shift member 75 is shifted to the second position. In this state, the slanting lug 74a of the actuation control member 74 is located in the path of travel of the pin 70b on the flashlamp actuating member.

If the flashlamp is one which has already been fired, the striker pin 79is not located at the specified releasable position, so that the subsequent upward movement brings the shift member 75 to the third position'as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, the slanting lug 74a of the actuation control member 74 being retracted downward from the path of advance of the pin 70b of the flashlamp actuating member 70.

The slidable member 73 further carries a socket swivelling member 86 pivoted to its pin 73a and urged by a spring 87 in a clockwise direction to keep the distal end 86a of the swivelling member 86 engageable with the periphery of cam portion 76a of the socket 76, the arrangement being such that the reciprocal movement of the slidable member 73 rotates the socket 76 a definite angle as in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

When the shutter is released when a photograph can be taken with natural light, the downward movement of the brightness detecting member 62 which follows the release member 50 is prevented by the meter pointer as illustrated in FIG. 12, permitting the flashlamp operating member 67 to prevent the movement of the flashlamp actuating member 70 against the action of the spring 72. Accordingly, the sector opening member 55 and sector actuating member 57 alone are released from their cocked position into counterclockwise rotation to move the sector 59 for opening and closing of the shutter. The parts are now in the state shown in FIG. 12. At this time, the shutter movement is effected irrespective of whether the flash unit 77 is mounted on the socket 76 or not, with the flash actuating member 70 left out of operation.

On the other hand, when flashlight is necessary for the shutter release, the pointer 65 is positioned at the stepped portion 620 of the brightness detecting member 62 as shown in FIG. 13, so that the detecting member 62 to be moved down following the release member 50 will not be prevented from downward movement by the pointer 65. Accordingly, the lug 62d urges the flashlamp operating member 67 in a clockwise direction to unlatch the flashlamp actuating member, so that following the counterclockwise movement of the sector actuating member 57 and the sector opening member 55, the flashlamp actuating member 57 turns in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in FIG. 13.

If the flash unit 77 is mounted on the socket 76 with fresh lamp when a flash photographing operation is required, the shift member 75 is displaced to the second position shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, with the slanting lug 74a of the actuation control member 74 positioned in the path of advance of the pin 70a of the flashlamp actuating member 70. When the actuating member 70 operates as described above, therefore, the pin 70a, by virtue of its horizontal movement, pushes down the slanting lug 74a to drive the control member 74 in a counterclockwise direction and thereby raise the shift member 75, which in turn releases the striker 79, causing the same to strike the leg of the flashlamp 78 for ignition. This ignition is of course effected in synchronism with the shutter opening and closing operation.

If the flash unit 77 is not placed in the socket, the shift member 75 remains in the first position shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, with the slanting lug 74a of the actuation control member retracted from the path of advance of the pin 70a thereabove. A shutter release operation will therefore results in an idle movement of the actuating member 70.

Even if the flash unit 77 is mounted on the socket with flashlamp 78 already fired, the striker 79 is not located at the specified releasable position and the shift member 75 is in the third position as illustrated in 

1. In a camera including a shutter sector: a socket; a flash unit releasably engaged by said socket and including at least one percussion-ignitable flashlamp and a striker releasably retained in a stressed retracted position; means for sensing the condition of a flash unit in said socket including a shift member movable to a first position in the absence of a flash unit in said socket, to a second position in the presence of a flash unit in said socket and the cocked position of said striker at a predetermined point, and a third position in the presence of a flash unit in said socket and the uncocked position of said striker relative to said predetermined point; means response to the concurrent opening operation of said shutter and the location of said shift member in its second position for releasing said striker and including an actuating member advancing with the opening of said shutter to actuate said shift member when in said second position to advance said shift member in a direction releasing said striker; and flash control means responsive to the operation of said shutter and to the incident light for disabling said striker releasing means when said light exceeds a predetermined value.
 2. The camera as claimed in claim 1 including a flash unit detecting member, said shift member being spring biassed to follow the movement of said flash unit detecting member to be operated upon detecting that the flash unit has been mounted on said socket, said shift member being shiftable to the second and third positions.
 3. The camera as claimed in claim 1 including a flash unit detecting member and wherein said flashlamp control means comprises a flashlamp operating member operable under the control of said brightness detecting member and an actuation control member for detecting the movement of said shift member, said operating member permitting said actuation control member to perform the detecting operation only when the need for a flash photographing operation is detected, said actuation control member being initiated into operation by said actuating member to cause said shift member to release said striker only when detecting that said shift member is located in the second position.
 4. The camera as claimed in claim 1 including a flash unit detecting member and wherein said flashlamp control means comprises a flashlamp operating member operable under the control of said brightness detecting member and an actuation control member operable in operative relation to the movement of said shift member, and said flash lamp operating member retains said actuating member in its cocked position upon a shutter cocking operation and releases the same only when the need for a flash photographing operation is detected, said actuation control member being initiated into operation by said actuating member to cause said shift member to release said striker only when detecting that said shift member is located in the second position.
 5. The camera as claimed in claim 1 including an intermediate member and wherein said socket has a cam for moving down said intermediate member at the initial stage of its swivelling movement and said intermediate member pushes down said shift member to the first position by its downward movement and returns upward when said socket is swivelled a definite angle so as to permit said shift member to shift to the second and third positions.
 6. A camera comprising: a socket for receiving a flash unit including at least one set of percussion-ignitable flashlamp and striker releasably retained, a shift member shiftable from a first position wherein said flash unit is not mounted to a second position wherein said shift member is retained by said striker held in the releasable position upon operating to detect mounting of the flash unit and then to a third position wherein said shift member has detected that said striker is not located in the releasable position, an actuating member operable in operative relation to the opening of a sector for actuating said shift member only when said shift member is in the second position to release said striker and thereby ignite said flashlamp in synchronism with the opening of said sector, flashlamp control means under the control of a brightness detecting member operable by a shutter releasing operation so as to detect the position of said shift member and interrupt the operaTive relation between said actuating member and said shift member when a flash photographing operation is not required and also when said shift member is located in the first and third positions, said actuating member being operatively associated with a sector opening member so as to be latched at its cocked position by a shutter cocking operation through said sector opening member and to be released from the latched position by more than a definite amount of a release member to move said sector opening member in the sector opening direction, said actuating member causing through said flashlamp control means said shift member to release said striker when said shift member is in the second position, and said actuating member operating means for swivelling said socket a definite angle in operative relation to its reciprocal movement, said swivelling means comprising a socket swivelling control member so urged as to follow the movement of said actuating member in the sector opening direction and a socket swivelling member reciprocally movable in operative relation to said control member so as to permit its front end to engage a socket swivelling cam formed in said socket and thereby rotate said socket in pushing contact therewith during a shutter cocking operation, said front end being shiftable to the position of initiating swivelling of said socket by the movement of said swivelling control member following said actuating member, said swivelling control member being prevented from following said actuating member in the course of the following movement by said flashlamp control means only when said shift member is in the first position to thereby prevent said swivelling member from shifting to the position of initiating swivelling of said socket.
 7. A camera comprising: a socket for receiving a flash unit including at least one set of percussion-ignitable flashlamp and striker releasably retained, a shift member shiftable from a first position wherein said flash unit is not mounted to a second position wherein said shift member is retained by said striker held in the releasable position upon operating to detect mounting of the flash unit and then to a third position wherein said shift member has detected that said striker is not located in the releasable position, an actuating member operable in operative relation to the opening of a sector for actuating said shift member only when said shift member is in the second position to release said striker and thereby ignite said flashlamp in synchronism with the opening of said sector, flashlamp control means under the control of a brightness detecting member operable by a shutter releasing operation so as to detect the position of said shift member and interrupt the operative relation between said actuating member and said shift member when a flash photographing operation is not required and also when said shift member is located in the first and third positions, said actuating member being retained at its cocked position by a shutter cocking operation and so urged as to follow the opening movement of a sector actuating member to be moved in the sector opening direction when a release member is depressed more than a given amount, said actuating member being retained by said flash control means in its cocked position and releasable therefrom only when said brightness detecting member detects the need for a flash photographing operation, said actuating member being retained in the cocked position in operative relation through socket swivelling means to the cocking action of said sector actuating member and adapted to follow the sector opening movement of said sector actuating member through said swivelling means, said socket swivelling means being provided with a socket swivelling member operable in operative relation to the reciprocating pivotal movement of said actuating member, said swivelling member being so urged as to permit its end to be engageable with and disengageable from a socket swivelling cam of saId socket to thereby rotate said socket a given angle in operative relation to the cocking operation of said actuating member, said socket swivelling member being shiftable to the position of initiating swivelling of said socket in operative relation to the actuating operation of said actuating means.
 8. In a camera including a shutter sector: a socket; a flash unit releasably engaged by said socket and including at least one percussion-ignitable flashlamp and a striker releasably retained in a stressed retracted position; means for sensing the condition of a flash unit in said socket including a shift member movable to a first position in the absence of a flash unit in said socket, to a second position in the presence of a flash unit in said socket and the cocked position of said striker at a predetermined point, and a third position in the presence of a flash unit in said socket and the uncocked position of said striker relative to said predetermined point; means responsive to the concurrent opening operation of said shutter and the location of said shift member in its second position for releasing said striker and including an actuating member advancing with the opening of said shutter to actuate said shift member when in said second position to advance said shift member in a direction releasing said striker, flash control means responsive to the operation of said shutter and to the incident light for disabling said striker releasing means when said light exceeds a predetermined value, and means responsive to the position of said shift member for providing a sensible signal indicating the photographing condition of the camera.
 9. The camera as claimed in claim 8 wherein said signal means comprises an electric circuit having a lamp to be lighted when said brightness detecting member detects the need for a flash photographing operation and an indicating member to be operated by detecting the position of said shift member to move a member to be illuminated by said lamp so as to indicate whether a flash photograph can be taken or not by the displaced position of said member to be illuminated by said lamp.
 10. The camera as claimed in claim 9 wherein said lamp indicates the displacement of said indicating member in a finder field by permitting its light to be introduced into finder field through a prism.
 11. The camera as claimed in claim 8 including a brightness detecting member wherein said alarm means comprises an interlocking lever operable under the control of said brightness detecting member, a signal operating member to be controlled by said lever to detect the position of said shift member and an alarm member in operative relation to said signal operating member, said interlocking lever permitting the operation of said signal operating member only when said brightness detecting member detects the need for a flash photographing operation, said signal operating member being adapted to operate said alarm member only when detecting that said shift member is not located in the second position to thereby indicate that a flash photograph can not be taken.
 12. The camera as claimed in claim 11 wherein said alarm member is coupled to said signal operating member by a string and is so arranged as to come into at least part of the finder field for giving a warning when it is impossible to take a flash photograph.
 13. The camera as claimed in claim 11 wherein said alarm member is a lamp whose electric circuit is opened and closed by said signal operating member and which is lighted when it is impossible to take a flash photograph.
 14. The camera as claimed in claim 11 wherein said alarm member is a member slidable in operative relation to said signal operating member and is so arranged as to come into the path of downward movement of a release member and thereby interrupt the downward movement of said release member when it is impossible to take a flash photograph.
 15. A camera comprising: a socket for receiving a flash unit includiNg at least one set of percussion-ignitable flashlamp and striker releasably retained, a shift member shiftable from a first position wherein said flash unit is not mounted to a second position wherein said shift member is retained by said striker held in the releasable position upon operating to detect mounting of the flash unit and then to a third position wherein said shift member has detected that said striker is not located in the releasable position, an actuating member operable in operative relation to the opening of a sector for actuating said shift member only when said shift member is in the second position to release said striker and thereby ignite said flashlamp in synchronism with the opening of said sector, flashlamp control means under the control of a brightness detecting member to be operated by a shutter releasing operation for interrupting the operative relation between said actuating member and a shift member when a flash photographing operation is not required and when said shift member is located in the first and third positions, and alarm means to be controlled by said brightness detecting member to detect the position of said shift member and to give a warning when the camera is incapable of taking a photograph, said alarm means comprising an electric circuit having a lamp to be lighted when said brightness detecting member detects the need for a flash photographing operation and an indicating member to be operated by detecting the position of said shift member to move a member to be illuminated by said lamp so as to indicate whether a flash photograph can be taken or not by the displaced position of said member to be illuminated by said lamp, and said member to be illuminated by said lamp being an indicating plate including first and second indicating portions to be illuminated by said lamp, said indicating member indicating the capability of taking a flash photograph by causing said second indicating portion to assume a position in opposing relation to said lamp when said shift member is in the second position, and said indicating member indicates the incapability of taking a photograph by positioning said first indicating portion in opposing relation to said lamp when said shift member is in the first and third positions. 